Ryan Break
4th May 2017, 12:32
Hello - My name is Ryan and I am new to the forum.
I am in the planning stages for building a cottage in the Kawartha/Haliburton area of Ontario. The nearest power line is about 500 metres away in Canadian shield forest...so it will be expensive to get grid-power. As such, we are investigating the possibility of a full off-grid solution.
I am having a tough time getting a sense of the sizing and cost of such a solution. I've heard price ranges from $25,000 to $75,000 and even upwards of $100,000. I think a lot of the variation has to do with battery type...some swear by regular lead-acid, other by sealed or AGM, and others say you gotta go with lithium ion. I've spoken to a few people at some trade shows, but I haven't done a deep dive with any one vendor/installer. Part of that is because I haven't been able to get a good feel for anyone.
Part of our problem is that we don't have a good answer to the question, "how much power do you need?". Since this is a new build, I really don't have an answer. However, I can provide the following information:
- about 2,000 sq.ft. flat roof with lots of windows
- 4 bedroom, 2 bath
- on the lake facing south....lots of property to install panels (don't want them on roof)
- cottage will be 4-season, but will mostly be used from April to October
- winter use will be very sporadic, but will still keep heat line (to the lake) and furnace running
- probably a propane furnace
- will install energy efficient appliances and use propane oven
- will have a propane back up generator
- would like the system to operate as if we were on the grid...except when the grid has a power failure!
Questions:
- what is the price range I should think about? (i know a loaded question)
- pros/cons of different battery types?
- Tesla Powerwall...worth it?
- there are a lot of different brands of panels, converters, etc....which ones are quality and which should be avoided?
- advice on finding an installer?
Ryan
I am in the planning stages for building a cottage in the Kawartha/Haliburton area of Ontario. The nearest power line is about 500 metres away in Canadian shield forest...so it will be expensive to get grid-power. As such, we are investigating the possibility of a full off-grid solution.
I am having a tough time getting a sense of the sizing and cost of such a solution. I've heard price ranges from $25,000 to $75,000 and even upwards of $100,000. I think a lot of the variation has to do with battery type...some swear by regular lead-acid, other by sealed or AGM, and others say you gotta go with lithium ion. I've spoken to a few people at some trade shows, but I haven't done a deep dive with any one vendor/installer. Part of that is because I haven't been able to get a good feel for anyone.
Part of our problem is that we don't have a good answer to the question, "how much power do you need?". Since this is a new build, I really don't have an answer. However, I can provide the following information:
- about 2,000 sq.ft. flat roof with lots of windows
- 4 bedroom, 2 bath
- on the lake facing south....lots of property to install panels (don't want them on roof)
- cottage will be 4-season, but will mostly be used from April to October
- winter use will be very sporadic, but will still keep heat line (to the lake) and furnace running
- probably a propane furnace
- will install energy efficient appliances and use propane oven
- will have a propane back up generator
- would like the system to operate as if we were on the grid...except when the grid has a power failure!
Questions:
- what is the price range I should think about? (i know a loaded question)
- pros/cons of different battery types?
- Tesla Powerwall...worth it?
- there are a lot of different brands of panels, converters, etc....which ones are quality and which should be avoided?
- advice on finding an installer?
Ryan